Spears family reunited at last after years of very public feuding

They are the very picture of a happy family - perched on the kerbside they chat and laugh as they admire the latest addition to the family.

But just months ago this scene would have been unimaginable. Back then Britney Spears was estranged from her mother Lynne and younger sister Jamie Lynn.

But there was no hint of the horrors of the past year as the teen idol celebrated her two sons' birthdays yesterday with a family reunion.

Together again: After years of acrimony, Britney and her mother share a tender moment with Jamie Lynn's daughter Maddie Briann on the curbside outside Britney's LA home yesterday

She spent a relaxed day with her mother Lynne, father Jamie, 17-year-old sister Jamie Lynn and her three-month-old daughter Maddie Briann.

Jamie Lynn had flown in from her home in Louisiana to Los Angeles to celebrate the birthdays of Britney's sons, which are only two days apart.

Sean Preston turned three on September 14 and Jayden was two on September 12. It is not clear if their father Kevin Federline, from whom Britney is divorced, was present at the party.

Hands on: The Spears women reconnect with each other after a year of strife

Looking at the family portrait it seems incredible to think that in June last year the 26-year-old served her mother with a restraining order to stop her having any contact with her grandsons.

Then in January, in an image that shocked her fans, she was pictured sobbing uncontrollably on a kerb at the side of the road with only her puppy for comfort.

Changing faces of Britney: The pop star has fought back from the depths of despair of last year and is on the road to recovery

Britney then suffered a very public meltdown, shaving her head and losing custody of her sons to her ex-husband in February.

Her increasingly erratic behaviour led to her being taken into psychiatric care under a mental health order. A judge made her parents her guardians, giving them control of her money to stop her being taken advantage of by hangers on.

Since emerging from the mental health unit in the spring Britney has remained at home in LA with her father Jamie, getting her life back together.

Having been virtually estranged from her parents, Britney is now described as being 'incredibly close' to them again. This represents a major turnaround, since at the height of her troubles Britney publicly blamed her woes on her father.

What a cutie: Grandad Jamie Spears plays with granddaughter Maddie Briann as Jamie Lynn looks on

Now, Jamie says: 'We've grown a lot. I've been able to come back into my daughter's life, and that was an adjustment anyway, because I'm an alcoholic and it's the first time we've really been able to share.

'It's wonderful. It's new for both of us. She sometimes calls me 50 times a day and asks me things that light my life up. But, like all daughters, she is very cunning. So she gets what she wants a lot.'

And Britney, who found out about her then 16-year-old sister's pregnancy from a paparazzi, is once again close to Jamie Lynn.

After months of not speaking the pop star attended her sister's baby shower, marking the beginning of a new relationship for the two.

Tricky period: Britney served her mother with legal papers on the set of her sister TV show Zoey 101 in Valencia, California in June 2007

Just like her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears's lovelife implodes amid allegations her fiancé cheated

Britney Spears' little sister Jamie Lynn cut a sad figure yesterday as she stepped for the first time following allegations her fiancé had cheated on her.

The 17-year-old actress's relationship was been rocked by claims that Casey Aldridge, 19, had been having an affair with Kelli Dawson, 28.

After the revelations last week, the Zoey 101 star and her two-month-old daughter Maddie Briann have fled the couple's home in Mississippi to stay with her mother Lynne 30 miles away in Louisiana.

Holding the baby: A miserable Jamie Lynn Spears clutches her baby Maddie close as she shops in Kentwood, Louisiana

Pictured for the first time since the reports, Jamie Lynn looked miserable as she joined mother Lynne and baby Maddie to buy a new mobile phone in a store in her hometown of Kentwood.

Dressed for the hot weather in a denim mini skirt and white vest, Jamie Lynn was still wearing the engagement ring she accepted from Casey in March - just three months before their daughter was born.

The couple, who have been dating for two years, were expecting to wed later this year, but their marriage plans have been thrown into jeopardy following the recent reports.

Kelli told America's InTouch Weekly magazine she had been dating Casey since November 2006 and had still been seeing him when Jamie Lynn was six months pregnant with Maddie - the same month he proposed.

Three generations: Jamie Lynn is being helped to care for baby Maddie by her mother Lynne

Kelli told the publication: 'I see him all the time, at least once a week.'

She claims she stopped sleeping with Casey towards the end of Jamie Lynn's pregnancy.

She said: 'It just didn’t feel right. He had to deal with the baby coming, and it had to stop.'

Britney's first husband Jason Alexander, who still lives in the Spears' family hometown, supported Kelli's claims.

'The other woman': Kelli Dawson claims she had an affair with Casey Aldridge while Jamie Lynn was pregnant with Maddie

Coupled up: Kelli Dawson pictured with Casey Aldridge

He said: 'Kelli and Casey have been a couple on and off for a few years.

'They were a really tight couple, but I think it was hard for Kelli, having Jamie Lynn in the picture.'

Casey has denied the allegations, accusing his ex-girlfriend of fabricating the affair to make money.

If Jamie Lynn needs lovelife advice, she can turn to older sister Britney, who has two failed marriages behind her.

She is currently getting her career back on track after a tumultuous two years following the collapse of her two year marriage to aspiring rapper Kevin Federline.

Trouble? A pregnant Jamie Lynn with Casey Aldrige earlier this year

Britney Spears' pregnant sister, 16, covers up her baby bump

Since falling pregnant late last year, 16-year-old Jamie Lynn Spears has kept a low profile.

And yesterday, the younger sister of Britney Spears was her usual shy self as she covered up her baby bump.

Teen actress Jamie Lynn, who is expecting a child with boyfriend Casey Aldridge, was all smiles as she enjoyed a day in the sunshine in her native Louisiana.

Pregnancy glow: Britney Spears's pregnant sister Jamie Lynn Spears in Louisiana yesterday. She was proudly showing off her baby bump

Wearing a loose-fitting white blouse, comfortable denim-shorts and Uggs boots, she was obviously enjoying her pregnancy as she carried a coffee after dinner at a Mexican restaurant.

Jamie Lynn is reportedly around six months along.

Not surprisingly, the teenagers's pregnancy has been exposed to constant gossip since she announced the news late last year in a U.S. magazine.

Pregnancy glow: Jamie Lynn Spears, 16, ventured out to dinner in Louisiana yesterday. She left the eaterie clutching a pair of T-shirts

The pregnancy, which has been a staple fixture in U.S. gossip columns, coincided with Britney's well-documented problems.

In January it was reported that Jamie Lynn had been dumped by boyfriend Casey Aldridge because he doubted he is the father.

Aldridge, it was said, insisted that she has a paternity test to prove he is the child's father. The report was denied by Spears' representatives.

Baby on board: Jamie Lynn Spears has been shy about being photographed with her emerging bump until now

Jamie Lynn Spears says she's pregnant

Britney Spears' 16-year-old sister Jamie Lynn, who stars as a schoolgirl in Nickelodeon's popular US TV show Zoey 101, is pregnant.

Sources say the news, which was first reported in an American magazine, caught Britney completely off guard.

Family matters: Britney Spears' younger sisiter Jamie Lynn is pregnant at 16

A friend said: "This is going to kill her. In the end, she'll be supportive, but this is a big shock."

A high school student who lives in Louisiana, Jamie Lynn Spears reportedly met the father, Casey Aldridge, the son of a Tennessee papermill worker, at church.

Jamie Lynn told the US edition of OK! magazine: "It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected. I was in complete and total shock and so was he."

Parents in waiting: Jamie Lynn with her boyfriend Casey Aldridge

“As soon as I found out for sure from the doctor, I took two weeks to myself where I didn't tell anybody.”

“Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone's opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me.”

Her mother Lynn Spears says: “I didn't believe it because Jamie Lynn's always been so conscientious. She's never late for her curfew. I was in shock. I mean, this is my 16-year-old baby.”

Nickelodeon said in a statement: "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."

Her big sister, Britney may not be the best source of parenting advice.

The 26-year-old pop star lost primary custody of her two sons, aged 2 and 1, to ex-husband Kevin Federline after their divorce last year and is engaged in a bitter custody battle that has shone a harsh spotlight on her maternal shortcomings.

Zoey 101, which wrapped production on its fourth and final season in September, revolves around a headstrong student at a co-ed boarding school in California.